Solving the Frank Kellert Mysteries

Frank Kellert was a first baseman in the majors with the Browns and Orioles, Dodgers and Cubs from 1953-1956. He hit .325 as a backup to Gil Hodges and pinch hitter for the Dodgers in 1955, and was 1-for-3 in that year's World Series. Sent to the Cubs the next year, he didn't perform nearly as well, and finished his career in the minors.

Kellert's Baseball Reference major league page reflects a few trades that happened while he was in the minors...

·  Before 1959 Season: Sent from the Boston Red Sox to the Cincinnati Redlegs in an unknown transaction.

·  May, 1959: Sent from the Cincinnati Redlegs to the Baltimore Orioles in an unknown transaction.

 UNKNOWN NO MORE!

Kellert had finished the 1958 season with Minneapolis in the Red Sox organization, then was sold to the Reds and Seattle.

From the Spokane Daily Chronicle of Jan 7, 1959... 

“The Seattle Rainiers baseball team today purchased shortstop Harry Malmberg and first baseman Frank Kellert from Minneapolis of the American Association.”

Malmberg spent a very short time in the majors, and this is a previously undocumented trade for him as well.

Back to Kellert, during the 1959 season, he went to Baltimore's AAA Miami team.

From the Evening Independent of May 15, 1959...

“Yesterday the club announced the purchase of first baseman Norm Zauchin and pitcher Vito Valentinetti from Washington of the American League and first baseman Frank Kellert from Seattle.”

"The club" being the Miami Marlins. The Zauchin and Valentinetti deals are previously known.

So we can close the book on the Frank Kellert Mysteries!

 Kellert pic from www.tradingcarddb.com 

Malmberg from

www.baseball-almanac.com